2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - March 1944
1 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Caister
17:30 hours. The Commanding Officer spoke to the Officers of the Battalion at Caister on the subject of the new M G Battalion War Establishment, and how it affected Battalion HQ.
D Company (Mortar Company) use trailers and find them most useful, they also found that the camouflage of trailers was most interesting and could be very effective.
Fine day.
2 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Cloudy day.
3 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
11:20 hours. Divisional Catering Adviser visited Battalion and arranged that surplus Cooks are to be retained until surplus personnel are disposed of.
4 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
The Commanding Officer went to Divisional HQ to discuss M G Battalion and its employment. It has been agreed that Companies will harbour in Battalion harbour area, after being in action. Battalion HQ is to be established in Divisional HQ area.
Orders were received to mobilise on new M G Battalion War Establishment.
Dull day.
5 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
A Company spent the night of 4/5th on the ranges.
Company Commanders’ Conference to discuss first stages of mobilisation. Order given for appointments in new War Establishment to be effective from 28th February 1944.
7 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Second in command of Battalion went on privilege leave.
B Company have night at Horsey ranges.
Programme of training films at Caister.
Fine day.
8 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Programme of training films at Corton.
9 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
B Company held ENSA Concert. The Battalion played 6 DWR’s in re-play of Divisional Rugby Competition and won by 23 points to 3.
Adjutant returns from leave.
10 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
14 Carrier drivers of B Company attend 1 day course for No.3 Special Driving School, Yarmouth.
The Captain (QM) proceeds on leave.
D Company have two Platoons in exercise with 147 Brigade.
B Company night shoot at Horsey.
11 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
The Commanding Officer went on privilege leave. Major Cannon assumes command of the Battalion.
Fine day.
12 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Rain in the morning, clear in the afternoon.
Battalion Rugby team play H M S Europa and win by 8 points to 3.
13 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Fine day, rained in the evening slightly.
14 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Assistant Adjutant returns from leave. Cloudy day.
15 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Second in command sick with influenza.
The Commanding Officer returns from privilege leave.
Fine day.
16 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Cloudy day but still no rain.
A Company held first Company exercise on new War Establishment. The exercise was chiefly concerned with the movement and control of the Company without wireless.
17 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
The Battalion Rugby team played 7 DWR in Divisional Competition and the score at the end of a very exciting game was 8 points each.
The Commanding Officer lunched with Brigadier Cooke-Collis DSO; 70th Brigade and arranged for closer co-operation with M G and Mortar Companies in exercises.
18 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.`
The Battalion entered a team in the Divisional Cross Country run and were placed sixth out of 23 entrants. The first member of the Battalion team to come in was Sgt Lamno, Cpl Hornett (2), Cpl Sigall (3), Captain Stanyer (4).
C Company fired with new Mark 1 No. 4 rifles. Very satisfactory results. 75% Company 1st Class shots.
19 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Fine day.
20 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
The Commanding Officer addressed the Officers of the Battalion at Caister on the general policy of the Battalion in regard to Motor Transport Standing Orders, also in respect of equipment to be taken overseas for Officers and Other Ranks.
C Company proceeded to harbour area for Exercise “Stag”.
21 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
C Company on Exercise “Stag” found that bearings must be taken of Platoon locations at night, as tapes are liable to be broken or dragged away.
D Company fired two Platoons at Martham Range – method of fire “Harassing” was tried out.
22 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
D Company harboured in Thetford area for exercise.
B Company – all Platoons train with assault boats Mk II to obtain data for ferrying of an MMG Platoon.
23 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Excellent camouflage was noted on the Mortar line of D Company when on exercise.
Instructions received from 49 Division re. unaccompanied G 1098 stores.
24 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Fine day.
25 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
Fine day.
26 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
B Company field firing Dingle.
Battalion HQ hold exercise to show disposition of vehicles in Battalion HQ harbouring area and practice move of HQ. The division of vehicles and personnel between Advance and Rear Battalion HQ was finally settled. 27 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
B Company field firing Dingle.
C Company demonstrated to Lieut-General Neame VC, CB, DSO a Platoon and Company HQ at full G 1098 scale. D Company made a similar demonstration and in addition the General saw a Mortar Platoon coming into action.
28 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
The Battalion played 7 DWR in re-play of Divisional Rugby Competition and won by 10 points to 3. Fine day.
29 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
The Commanding Officer holds discussion period for all Officers of the Battalion at Caister and one realises that the “great day” is fast approaching.
First rain for some time.
30 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
All Officers of the Battalion attended a TEWT by the second in command. Prior to commencement of TEWT a layout on the ground of Battalion harbour are was shown by O.C. HQ Company.
31 March 1944 – Bn HQ, Rollesby.
The Commanding Officer inspected the Battalion Guard to be mounted at Divisional HQ on the 2nd of April.
Monthly Summary – Bn HQ.
It has been a month of administration due to the changeover to the new Battalion (MG) War Establishment, resulting in a surplus of Officers and Other Ranks who have since, in most cases, been posted to the units within the Division.
Training has been carried on with Brigade Exercises. Sport has been thriving, in particular Rugby, and the Battalion are in many cases beginning to accept Rugby as something not entirely foreign, this has been obvious by the number of spectators present.
There has been a marked improvement in the standard of training both individual and collective: much good work has been done by the Driver/Operators. The new organisation is beginning to work smoothly.
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